The Ayrshire Amateur Cup has kicked off with a sponsorship deal that began some 20 years ago.

The county’s premier cup competition is again being backed by EDF Energy.

Stuart Urquhart, president of the Ayrshire Amateur Football Association, said: “On behalf of the association and all of our member clubs, I would like to offer our sincere thanks to Colin Weir, Stuart McGhie and everyone connected with this sponsorship at EDF Energy. The company has again shown great faith in amateur football in Ayrshire at a time when many other potential sponsors have not been forthcoming because of the period of austerity the country is currently in.

“We have had a long relationship with the company, almost 20 years, and look forward to many more successful years of sponsorship, and continuing the great relationship developed over this time.”